Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW)

10/29/2026

Join Triage Cancer for the FREE virtual Triage Health Conference on November 6 & 7!

This two-day event offers practical information on navigating health insurance, appealing denials, managing medical bills and finances, employment rights, and other challenges facing individuals with chronic or serious medical conditions.

Free continuing education credits are available for social workers and other health care professionals.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3x8pGkw

10/28/2026

What does it mean to leave a legacy?

Join AOSW on Thursday, November 19, for “Mapping Meaning: Facilitating Legacy Interventions in Oncology Social Work,” with Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, and Debbie Mattison, LMSW, OSW-CE, FAOSW. Learn practical intervention tools for facilitating legacy work with patients and reflect on legacy in your own life.

Participants will:
• Articulate the clinical relevance and value of legacy interventions with oncology patients
• Practice and apply clinically focused and clinician-focused legacy interventions
• Identify one application of a legacy intervention that can be used with oncology patients in diverse care settings

📅 Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET
🎓 1.5 CE hours available for purchase
👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/4zIQtl1

10/20/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 (𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟭𝟳-𝟮𝟯)‎

Although less common than women, men get breast cancer too! As oncology social ‎workers, we recognize that breast cancer does not discriminate. According to the American ‎Cancer Society, it is estimated that 2,670 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.‎
Men diagnosed with breast cancer may struggle with unique challenges such as:‎
• Isolation
• Stigma
• Misconceptions about their disease

This week, let’s continue to raise awareness, provide inclusive care, and create emotional ‎safety for male breast cancer patients and their families.‎

For information, resources, self-exam cards, check out Male Breast Cancer Global ‎Alliance: https://bit.ly/4eCy6WP

10/01/2026

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer affects individuals, families and communities in ways that extend far beyond a diagnosis. For oncology social workers, supporting people through breast cancer means recognizing the emotional, practical, financial and social challenges that can accompany every stage of the experience.

In the U.S., 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity not only to raise awareness, but also to promote early detection, expand access to support and remind those facing cancer that they do not have to navigate it alone.

This October, we recognize the patients, survivors, caregivers, families and communities impacted by breast cancer, and the oncology social workers and other professionals who help them navigate the journey.

💗 Awareness matters. Support matters. And no one should have to face breast cancer alone.

09/29/2026

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026.

At this year’s AOSW conference, Dr. Wittmann and Dr. Goltz gave an insightful presentation on Sexual Recovery of Prostate Cancer Patients and their Partners.

During this two-part series, they introduced the clinical guidelines for sexual health and prostate cancer, providing valuable guidance for healthcare professionals supporting prostate patients and their partners
You can download the international guidelines here:
https://bit.ly/4rVaqTn

Movember offers clinical guidelines for sexual health care and prostate cancer — including clinical support for sexual function and intimacy.

09/28/2026

What does it mean to take a professional risk in social work practice?

Join AOSW on Thursday, October 15, for “The Dignity of Risk: Taking Professional Leaps Into the Spider Web,” a webinar exploring how the principle of dignity of risk can inform clinical decision-making, advocacy and intervention across micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice.

Terry Altilio, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, Vickie Leff, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, and Christine Beamon, LCSW, CCM, APHSW-C will explore how personal and professional identities, institutional policies, medical hierarchy and Social Drivers of Health can shape our willingness to take risks and use our voices to influence care.

Participants will:
• Define dignity of risk and its relevance to healthcare practice
• Explore how institutional and political structures can affect patient experiences
• Identify practical ways to integrate dignity of risk into clinical practice

📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
🕐 1:00–2:30 PM ET
🎓 1.0 CE hour available for purchase

👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/4ydUA8u

09/18/2026

📣 AOSW 2027 Board of Directors Election Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent election for open positions on the AOSW Board of Directors.

We’re pleased to welcome the following members to the AOSW Board of Directors, beginning January 1, 2027:

✨ President-Elect: Brittany Hahn, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
✨ Membership Director: Lyndsey Griffin, MSW, LCSW-C, OSW-C
✨ Research Director: Jen Currin-McCulloch, PhD, LSW
✨ Director of State Representatives: Nicole Marcouiller, DSW, LICSW, OSW-C

We’re grateful to all of the members who participated in this year’s election and to those who continue to contribute their time, expertise and leadership to AOSW.

Thank you for helping strengthen our community and advance the field of oncology social work. We look forward to welcoming our new Board members in 2027!

09/08/2026

Join the Association of Cancer Care Centers for an upcoming interactive Office Hours session focused on advancing Collaborative Care Models in oncology.

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET

Title: ACCC Hosts Office Hours: Open Discussion on Collaborative Care Models
In partnership with American Psychosocial Oncology Society and Association of Oncology Social Work, this session offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with leading experts and peers in a dynamic, discussion-based format.

Featured Experts:
• Jesse Fann (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center)
• William Pirl (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
• Krista Nelson (Providence Cancer Institute)
• Courtney Bitz (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

This is not a traditional webinar—bring your questions, share your experiences, and learn from others navigating implementation in real time.

During this session, participants will:
✔️ Discuss real-world challenges and opportunities in implementing Collaborative Care Models
✔️ Explore practical strategies for workflow integration and team engagement
✔️ Connect with peers in an open forum to exchange insights and solutions

Whether you're early in your journey or actively scaling a program, this session provides a valuable space for candid conversation and shared learning.

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/3TjpkFS

09/01/2026

September is a time to recognize the many cancer awareness observances that shine a light on different diagnoses, communities and patient experiences.

From childhood cancers and blood cancers to prostate, gynecologic and thyroid cancers, each diagnosis can bring unique physical, emotional, social and practical challenges for patients and their loved ones.

For oncology social workers, awareness is more than recognizing a diagnosis. It means understanding the whole person, addressing barriers to care and providing support throughout the cancer experience.

This September, AOSW recognizes the patients, survivors, caregivers, families and professionals who continue to raise awareness, advance care and support one another across the cancer community. 💜

08/31/2026

📖 Have you read the latest issue of AOSW Connections?

The August issue explores Complementary & Integrated Care, highlighting perspectives and resources relevant to oncology social work and the patients and families they support.

👉 Take a look at the latest issue and catch up on what’s new from AOSW: https://bit.ly/4tYUiiT